Jaguar confirmed the production of spectacular C-X75
When Tata announced its plans for taking over Jaguar rights, few thought that things were going to take the money they have given. So just take a look at the brand 5 years ago and compare it to what the brand promises for the forthcoming five years, night and day. New models, new versions, new proposals. The icing on the cake It's been posted this morning, formally the development of the concept C-X75 spectacular view to a possible commercialization in 2013. The letter could not be more dramatic: a super-lightweight sports car with a power around the 900-1000 hp, hybrid technology, electric mode, € 800,000 ... all around with emissions of 99 g / km of CO2. You could say higher but not clearer: Jaguar's new proposal will turn around the idea of \u200b\u200bwhat should be a super-sport.
case you do not remember, the Jaguar C-X75 is the concept car that the British were removed from the sleeve in Paris to celebrate the 75 anniversary of the brand. It was a revolutionary at the same time sporting attractive, with a line inspired by the prototype XJ13, which fitted to a gas turbine to generate electricity to charge electric motors mounted on both axles. The result was a fast sporty, elegant, and above all efficient, able to offer benefits infarction with emission levels to a minimum.
When turning this proposal into something more tangible, Jaguar has found a very good ally: the Williams team in Formula 1. Proof of this was the presence of Frank Williams himself in the presentation by the directors of the British manufacturer. Such collaboration will be felt especially in the manufacturing and technical innovation that incorporates the C-X75: development of lightweight composites, synergies between the brand and the Formula 1 team, etc. For example, the monocoque is made of carbon fiber (essential given that, at present, virtually all new sports bill are based on structures made from this material). The same will happen to the body panels, also made of carbon, reducing the weight considerably to about 1,400 kilos (the concept remained in 1,350).
However, the Williams F1 know-how will be felt also in aerodynamics, chassis and engine .... This is precisely one of the most interesting of the entire project. Since the gas turbine still requires much research (it is a technology still in its infancy), the first units will be offered with one engine a bit special. Through collaboration with the team British Jaguar future equip a turbo-powered 1.6-liter four-cylinder, based on the Formula 1 teams will be assembled after the 2013 season. The
motor work in combination with two electric motors - one per axle, which will make the C-X75 in a sports car with four-wheel drive - capable of producing a combined capacity of around 900-1000 hp, a figure I could very close to the Bugatti Veyron in terms of absolute power. However, the personality and the ultimate goal of both models is far from it. In this regard, thanks to the addition of two packs of lithium-ion battery (weighing a total of 240 kilos), the Jaguar C-X75 can run in electric mode for 50 miles. However, as interpreted, it seems that also can function as an extended plug-in hybrid tango, reason to explain emission levels as low as less than 100 g / km of CO2 that promise.
Altogether manufactured a total of 250 units (away from the 1000-2000 that was rumored at the beginning). While the first 200 will incorporate the 1.6 turbo-powered engine developed by Williams F1, the last 50 of which could ultimately equipping itself a hybrid gas turbine, in the image and likeness of the concept car that struck at the Paris Salon. The result, regardless of engine that will be used, promises a first-rate performance: 325 km / h top speed, 3 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km / h, 5.5 to reach 200 km / h and 15.5 ... to reach 300 km / h. According to Adrian Hallmark
, CEO of Jaguar:
People expect us to be innovative. The C-X75 had a very good reception as a concept car. We have taken advantage of that inertia, and we found a clear economic viability for a model as emblematic as this. No other model is best expressed in a renewed confidence and excellence in technological innovation like this.
Frank Williams, For its part, has said:
Partnership with Jaguar Land Rover offers an excellent opportunity to work with one of the most iconic brands in the world. Williams has always seen itself as an engineering company, so this project will allow us to create something truly exceptional.
The truth is that if you look at the numbers, it is a model that has little to envy the Bugatti Veyron, for instance. However, the W16 of 8-0 liter four turbos the Franco-German sports seem from another era when compared with the 1.6 turbo-powered Williams to be developed, which, combined with the latest technology Hybrid, converted to the Jaguar C-X75 as the benchmark for efficiency, and indeed, mark the way forward for many brands specializing in sports, read Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche - although the latter is already working on something similar: the 918 Spyder Hybrid.
is undoubtedly a model that marked a before and after in the history of Jaguar. A model that comes at a key moment in a turning point that will indicate to where the shots go in the future. Certainly do not sound like the Pagani Zonda and its glorious V12 engine, but in return we can enjoy the latest technology in a sports car capable of emitting less than 100 g / km of CO2, consuming less than 9-10 l/100 km ... and to maintain top performance, I think we will go in the right direction. For now, however, still have to wait until 2013 (though not surprise me if the thing continues in time). That's right: at a price to be around € 800-900000 and produced only 250 units will not be an easy car to see.